(By: Star Information Systems)
Trondheim-based Star Information Systems (STAR) is expanding its collaboration with Norwegian cruise and ferry operator Color Line by launching a groundbreaking project that will leverage the power of STAR’s new web-based technology platform STAR Suite to streamline maintenance planning, execution and reporting.
Color Line’s decision to implement STAR Explorer – a core application of the STAR Suite – is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to improve operational efficiency and ensure the highest maintenance standards across its entire fleet.
Superintendent Marius Slettingdalen highlights the challenges the company has faced in the past: “Previously, we had problems getting good data quality from the work order reports due to manual free text input by maintenance technicians. With almost 200,000 orders reported annually, which equates to nine orders per hour during 12-hour shifts, it was clear that we needed a more streamlined approach. It is simply not possible to report so many orders with satisfactory quality.”
STAR Explorer enables Color Line to move from manual reporting to checklist-based and, in the future, sensor-based reporting. This ensures a centralized, high-quality data pool that can be used to analyze trends and determine operational thresholds. “By automating reporting processes and leveraging sensor data, we aim to increase the efficiency of work orders and improve resource utilization, including during the planned dry dock. Essentially, Star Information Systems helps us create a digital replica of everything we can monitor,” said Slettingdalen.
Per Anders Koien, Product Director at STAR, added: “The pilot project is in line with our main goal of consistently providing the best operational support to our customers and delivering robust and user-friendly software solutions. Our next generation STAR Suite consists of several open source elements and runs in a Linux Ubuntu environment to reduce operational costs for customers. The new software replaces all older programs based on the Visual Basic 6.0 (VB6) programming language and enables us to update and adapt features to our customers’ needs much faster. Our old software runs on many different operating systems and networks, but when we are web-enabled, it will be the same for all customers. We can’t wait to launch this transformative system with the first Color Line.”
The STAR Explorer project aims to achieve the following key benefits:
- Improved data quality – By switching to standardized, checklist and sensor-based reporting, Color Line will significantly improve the quality and reliability of maintenance data, enabling better insights and benchmarking.
- Improved operational efficiency – Automating reporting processes streamlines maintenance activities, enabling Color Line to optimize resource allocation, contractor management and spare parts management while reducing downtime and costs.
- Proactive maintenance management – Sensor data is proactively used by ship system providers, such as the main engine OEM, to remotely monitor and identify potential issues before they escalate. This generates automated work orders in STAR Explorer, enabling Color Line to take preventative action and minimize disruption.
- Improve cybersecurity – Centralizing STAR Explorer information flow through a single server on board each vessel ensures secure communications and data management.
- Seamless integration – STAR Explorer’s APIs enable seamless connections with all existing ship systems and provide a global platform for data management and analysis.
Color Line already uses the STAR Suite Stock Count mobile app and is in the process of implementing additional modules, including the Work Order and Consumption apps. The company is also currently implementing an API integration with the classification society DNV’s digital MPMS tool to ensure compliance with surveys and regulations and to identify anomalies that need to be corrected.
Commenting on the partnership with STAR, Slettingdalen emphasizes the importance of collaboration in driving digital transformation. “The collaboration with STAR is a prime example of our cooperation with trusted third parties to improve processes, increase sustainability and provide exceptional service to our customers. STAR’s world-class support capabilities and consistently fast response are invaluable to our ongoing digitalization process,” he said.
Strong focus on customer support
Koien adds that standardizing STAR Suite installations and environments across all customers and enabling web access on any device will further improve customer support in terms of consistency, efficiency, knowledge sharing and innovation. “Our goal is not just to meet our customers’ expectations, but to consistently exceed them. We strive to provide a support system that is flexible, responsive and based on industry best practices to provide exceptional support worldwide,” he concluded.
The products and services described in this press release are not endorsed by The Maritime Executive.
